Don’t Buy Trousers Until You’ve Watched This

[@timec2002]

A very good point on the variance of inside leg length. One of the most common things I see a lot with men in suits are trousers that are way too long. I think that tends to be with cheaper off the peg suits that frankly don’t fit quite right as a whole. There has been a recent fashion on wearing them too short as well, but thankfully that appears to be passing. My trousers vary from 29.5in to about 31.5in depending on the cut and cloth. I was told by a tailor many years ago about hanging trousers from the hem, it absolutely contributes to their longevity and avoids the need to re-press to removed coat hanger lines every time they’re worn. Keep the interesting content coming. Cheers.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for your insightful comment!

[@Kennybooy9]

An excellent vid. I’ve learnt that not all tailors are “ good”. Thankfully Ralph Lauren offer tailoring services when you buy their trousers. Just because a person has a tailoring business, doesn’t mean they are a great tailor. 🥂

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! We're delighted to hear that the video was helpful.

[@BigandStylish]

I really love how you are advocating the straight leg trousers! they are a classic, look great on all body types and everyone should have at least one pair in their wardrobe.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment!

[@StephenCowley001]

I'm particularly interested in what you have to say about high rise trousers that can be worn with braces. As someone with a paunch, I know I should get more exercise, but in the meantime, I'd like to know how to negotiate the difference between being 42" on the hip and 48" around the waist at the belly button when buying trousers that often don't advertise the "rise" in their measurements. Usually, 44 or 46 inch waist seems to work for me. It's difficult to estimate though and they don't seem to be available at M&S, and of course you can't try things on when buying online. Frankly, they are more comfortable than tying a belt around your bladder and prostate at my age - though that said, I don't want to go out of my way to look old.

[@chrismodoo6563]

Agreed, it is more comfortable, flattering and (so I’ve heard) healthy to wear your trousers higher and looser and suspended with braces. Brands do not express the “rise” as it is not understood by most and different makers will measure differently. As general advice, buy larger and have the seat taken in if needed. Thank you for your question.

[@GavinDingwall]

Excellent as always. You have done some very helpful videos Chris along the lines of ‘The Five Most Useful Ties/Shirts/Jackets’ and I was wondering if you could do something similar on formal trousers? (I will take mid-grey flannel as a given!!) Best, Gavin

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for your kind words - we're really glad you’ve found the videos helpful! We love hearing your suggestions, and a video on formal trousers sounds like a great idea

[@DadPhone-vr7oq]

Modoo kills me. He's so hip. I agree with Modoo about the importance of alterations tailors. Having a good alterations tailor is like having a Modoo of your own! Thanks for a great video!

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you for your comment.

[@rbonn3880]

Outstanding discussion. I often get comments that pleats are out of fashion, but I am a 6-foot tall rower and a cyclist with very muscular thighs and calves...and pleats not only fit so nicely, they look great.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us!

[@sambrowne]

Couldn't agree more about having a tailor. I recently bought some gabardine trousers and the company screwed up the alterations, bought another pair and he sorted them out perfectly. he's doing some flannels for me so looking forward to getting hold of those. Cheers Chris, nice vid.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us!

[@sirreynolds1681]

Very enlightening. He puts into words those questions we all wonder about.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you for your comment!

[@alexg2150]

The video I was looking for - great explanation of balance between trouser cut and blazer style

[@RampleyandCo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@franhiatt1]

Good advice and something to think about. The light tan shoes with a suit look is still popular, even though it looks rather naff. The other look which is rather scruffy is the ill-fitting too tight grey jeans, tan shoes (usually scuffed) and a creased-up ill-fitting tweed jacket with a rubbish-looking shirt and no tie. Working in London quite a lot over recent years this terrible look is like some sort of middle-aged men's madness, especially with those who are overweight with their clothes bursting at the seams. Even if you are somewhat portly then wearing a good suit, shirt, tie and shoes needn't cost the earth but it can transform a man's look. It gives people the impression that he knows where he's going rather than trying to cling on to a scruffier more youthful and slimmer past. If in doubt look at what James Bond and Cary Grant wear and you won't go far wrong.🤣

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you for sharing!

[@markstafford6357]

Good to see you on KZbin Chris 👍🏻😎we should go for a drink soon before Christmas

[@chrismodoo6563]

Definitely. 👍

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

It is difficult to find an alterations tailor; but there are people out there who do sewing; mostly sempstresses - I don't know what the make equivalent would be, assuming you could find one. Some of them can make quite significant alterations; others fly into panic mode if you want something as simple as letting the waistband out by an inch. "Ooh, we're not tailors!" Most of these specialize in women's wear and are uneasy with men. So you have to search until you find one. My abiding concern is waist height - most of my weight is below navel level, so I like a trouser that fits high - generally, you have to look hard for these, and if you find them, they'll be cut from polyester, which I hate.... Hip-fitting trousers when you have arthritic hips are just horrible, and anyway they never hang properly - if more people had access to well-made trousers, you'd see fewer vast beer guts looming over an almost invisible waist-band, lost under a fleshy overhang. Ugh....! It's the Sidney Greestreet look I want - lots of cloth in weskit and trousers, and room to expand further.

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us.

[@theofarmmanager267]

Truly excellent. Braces, pleats and cuffs for me every time. But that’s just old age. Breaks? Full? Half? None?

[@chrismodoo6563]

That’s also how my younger friends and customers prefer to wear their trousers! I’ll cover break (and cuffs/hem styles in another video). And thank you.

[@Tyler-zo6xe]

AskOkey explains much clearer.

[@theofarmmanager267]

@ I have to say that I much prefer the British take on these things. I don’t vehemently disagree with Okey but I do find some point ,UFH more American. I’m British and so that style is inherently suitable for me

[@sugarraybow]

Great tipps! Thank you for sharing!

[@RampleyandCo]

Thanks for watching!

[@graham_avis6105]

Brilliant. Really useful content as always but great that you have erred into trousers. Thanks Chris

[@RampleyandCo]

Many thanks!

[@christianbarrow2568]

Tremendous video. Explained perfectly 👏🏾

[@RampleyandCo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@floyd27860]

Ahhh... that suit is fire! I'm so jealous of that thing.

[@chrismodoo6563]

Thank you.

[@bobcunningham9469]

From what I have heard, if you have trousers with belt loops, you shouldn't wear braces, as they give a conflicting look. If a wearer wants braces buttons put in by a tailor, are tailors able to remove belt loops?

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you for your comment!

[@chrismodoo6563]

Yes. A tailor could remove the belt-loops.

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@RampleyandCo]

Many thanks!

[@dustyrhodes8672]

Any suggestions where to buy brace buttons? Love your videos!

[@chrismodoo6563]

any 4-hole button in 28ligne (18mm) would work. Or you could just use cuff buttons (24ligne). Tailors will have buttons or you could acquire from a haberdashery.

[@johng5939]

Excellent fact packed video 🫡

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you!

[@pierrecadieux6037]

very well explained!

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you!

[@kenneth7826]

Great advice😊😊😊😊😊

[@RampleyandCo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@siark-photo]

So what makes a trouser a chino? I've seen chinos with front pockets and side pockets, so is it specifically the material that makes a trouser a chino?

[@chrismodoo6563]

Thanks for your question. Chinos are made in cotton drill, flat-fronted with no front crease.

[@jimmyjay6497]

As long as we drop the skinny pants with no socks!!🤦🏽‍♂️😂. Point is not all men can ware those Italian ( yoga clothes really ) body hugging suits. It’s all I can find in my area ( Nordstrom 🤦🏽‍♂️ )

[@RampleyandCo]

hanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

[@ninepinknails]

I have drop 8 on trousers. I’ve found fuller cut looks better or I look like I’m walking on stilts / proportions are off. So I have slim cut jacket and full cut trouser

[@RampleyandCo]

Thank you for sharing!

[@chrismodoo6563]

That’s a strong look.

[@sorcererscircle535]

I wonder if you worked with Bobby, very similar mannerisms. Probably just from similar location